Taconic State Parkway accident leads to charges against both drivers

LIVINGSTON >> Troopers responding to a reported hit-and-run accident on the Taconic State Parkway wound up arresting the drivers of both vehicles, one for drunken driving, the other for driving under the influence of drugs, state police said Thursday.

Police responded to a 911 call reporting both vehicles were southbound on the Taconic when a crash occurred and that both vehicles had exited onto state Route 82 westbound.

Troopers found and stopped both vehicles on Route 82.

The investigation revealed the 911 caller and one of the drivers, Malcolm C. Sidbury, 38, of Albany, was under the influence of drugs, police said. He was charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs.

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After interviewing the other driver, Thomas R. Robbins, 57, of Poughkeepsie, police determined he was drunk, they said. Robbins was charged with drunken driving, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and leaving the scene of a property-damage accident, all misdemeanors, police said. He also was charged with numerous vehicle and traffic law violations.

Police said a breath test found Robbins had blood-alcohol content of 0.25 percent, more than three times the legal limit.

Police said Sidbury was southbound in the right lane on the Taconic when Robbins attempted to pass him and sideswiped his vehicle.

Both men were released with tickets to appear in Livingston Town Court.